NFL Draft

Tank Dell is Breaking the Mold

He may be "undersized," but the impact of Houston's star rookie has been anything but small.

Luke Easterling

Tank Dell is Breaking the Mold
Tank Dell is Breaking the Mold /
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When you think of a "No. 1 receiver" in the NFL, you probably picture someone like Calvin Johnson; an imposing presence with the perfect blend of size and athleticism.

If you saw Houston Texans wide receiver Nathaniel "Tank" Dell -- on the field, on paper, in the grocery store -- "No. 1 receiver in the NFL" probably wouldn't cross your mind.

At the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this year, Dell measured in at 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds. When the Texans made him the 69th overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he became one of the smallest players in the entire league.

But 11 weeks into his rookie campaign, Dell's impact has been anything but small for the Texans, who currently sit at 6-4 after yet another dramatic win Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

Dell's fingerprints were all over the victory, as he led Houston with eight receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown, averaging more than 18 yards per catch. This 40-yard score just before the half was the highlight of the day:

That kind of performance, and Dell's penchant for making big plays, has been the norm so far this season, as he's quickly developed into the favorite target of fellow rookie (and dark-horse MVP candidate) C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick from this year's draft.

Dell's explosiveness, route-running skills, and ability to jump out of the building erases any shortcomings his small stature might bring to the table. He's just the latest example of why size isn't a skill, and more proof that elite playmakers in the NFL come in all shapes and sizes.

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Luke Easterling
LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more.  Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com

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